6 Easy-Care Midwest Native Plants

Chicago gardener Charlotte Adelman wondered why butterflies ignored her flowers. Turns out, her plants were imported. She replaced them with easy-care natives that attract beneficial insects and birds and shared the findings in her book, The Midwestern Native Garden. Try her top six regional picks for long-lasting, carefree blooms in your yard.

Blooms Shaped like a fountain, this prairie grass delights from summer to winter. Expect soft blue-green foliage in the summer, followed by golden or spicy red tones in the fall and faded colors in the winter. "Grasses are such a natural choice for our prairie landscapes," Charlotte says.

Attracts Many butterflies and skippers lay their eggs on native grasses.

Attracts Bees and at least 18 butterfly species, such as the painted lady and giant swallowtail. "They even attract their own moth: the goldenrod flower moth," Charlotte adds. Native sparrows and goldfinches devour the seeds.